SunLive Two Baywide rugby teams claim four points apiece The ...

Two unbeaten BOPRU Baywide teams received stern challenges, before claiming four points apiece, in week three of the premier title race on Saturday.

A young and sharp Judea side ran out onto Maharaia Winiata Park, against Te Puna, prepared to leave it all out on the field.

The home team starting pack held their own in the first spell, with young Anaru Mulipola running the ball front and forward, alongside Taituha Woller who took several Te Puna defenders to stop his charging runs.

Judea replacement first-five Jake Gardiner was another to impress with his booming kicks down the field, as Judea led 12-7 at the halfway stage of the match. Te Puna dug deep in the second forty minutes to run in two further touchdowns, to win the battle, 19-12.

The encounter between Whakarewarewa and Rangiuru, played in Te Puke, finished late in the day after a long break in play due to a serious injury and the resulting ambulance no-show.

Whakarewarewa led 13-7 at halftime before stretching their advantage to eleven points. The Western Bay side came back with a converted try, with the relieved hosts holding on to post a 23-19 victory.

Te Puke Sports joined Whaka at the top of the standings with a 23-10 win over Greerton Marist, at Te Puke headquarters. The match was notable for Te Puke co-captain Danny Underwood playing his 100th game in the Pirates premier strip. Underwood scored a five-pointer and was adjudged his teams player of the day.

Mount Maunganui easily retained the Western Bay challenge prize of the Jordan Cup, after they put on 59 unanswered points against Rangataua. Tauranga Sports proved too strong for Rotoiti, with a 50 points to 22 victory, while Katikati put on a improved performance against Ngongotaha before losing 24 nil.

Arataki and Eastern Districts, who are both chasing the Western Bay berth in the BOPRU Baywide promotion series, continued their unbeaten run. Arataki, withstood a stern challenge from Tauranga Sports to clinch a five point victory, with ED beating near neighbours Rangiuru 35-20.

Papamoa, who are another Baywide promotion candidate, banked their first win points of the new rugby year, in getting past Katikati 36-7. Te Puke Sports, Te Puna and Mount Maunganui Development teams, all won their Western Bay combined competition matches.

BOPRU Baywide Results – Week Three 29 April 2023

Tauranga Sports 50 Rotoiti 22 (HT 33-5) Te Puke Sports 22 Greerton Marist 10 (HT 22-3) Ngongotaha 24 Katikati 0 (HT 14-0) Whakarewarewa 23 Rangiuru 19 (13-7) Te Puna 19 Judea 12 (HT 7-12) Mount Maunganui 59 Rangataua 0 (HT 19-0)

Points Table: Te Puke Sports 14, Whakarewarewa 14, Te Puna 13, Mount Maunganui 10, Tauranga Sports 10, Ngongotaha 10, Greerton Marist 6, Rangiuru 6, Rangataua 4, Rotoiti 1, Judea 1, Katikati 0.

WBOPRS Development/Local Rugby Results

Arataki 24 Tauranga Sports 19, Te Puke Sports 24 Greerton Marist 15, Papamoa 36 Katikati 7, Eastern Districts 35 Rangiuru 20, Te Puna 74 Judea 7, Mount Maunganui 33 Rangataua 5, Matakana Island the bye.

Points Table: Eastern Districts 15, Te Puke Sports 14, Te Puna 14, Arataki 14, Greerton Marist 10, Mount Maunganui 7, Papamoa 5, Tauranga Sports 5, Rangiuru 5, Rangataua 1. Matakana Island 0, Katikati 0, Judea 0.

Baywide Promotion Competition: Eastern Districts 15, Arataki 14, Papamoa 5, Matakana Island 0.

Jordan Cup Results 2023

2022 Holder – Tauranga Sports

22 April Mount Maunganui 41 Tauranga Sports 19

29 April Mount Maunganui 59 Rangataua 0

Next Challenge

6 May Mount Maunganui v Judea, Blake Park

Baywide Draw 6 May 2023 (2.45pm)

Tauranga Sports v Rangataua, Tauranga Domain; Rotoiti v Katikati, Emery Park; Mount Maunganui v Judea, Blake Park; Ngongotaha v Rangiuru, Ngongotaha Domain; Te Puna v Te Puke Sports, Maramatanga Park; Whakarewarewa v Greerton Marist, Puarenga Park.

WBOPRFS Development/Local Rugby Draw 29 2023 April (1pm)

Tauranga Sports v Rangataua, Tauranga Domain; Matakana Island v Katikati, Matakana Island; Te Puna v Te Puke Sports, Maramatanga Park; Eastern Districts v Greerton Marist, Paengaroa Domain; Mount Maunganui v Judea, Blake Park; Arataki v Papamoa, Arataki Park; Rangiuru the bye.